Billie’s

Arrived and sat down and waited to be served, waited for over 20 minutes whilst the waitresses danced and talked in the kitchen. Two more groups of people came in who waited 5 minutes to be served. When it appeared after 25 minutes that we had been completely forgotten we got up and left. The food might be great! We have no idea! The service is absolutely terrible!

This place is such a hidden gem!
I’m glad it’s so hidden away or I don’t think I would be able to get a table. The staff are lovely, the menu is great, they have avocado on the menu, so I’m happy!
The hash is the best hash ever — have one with eggs on it — just makes the best combination with the potato.
I actually went here on a first date, and it was a really good balance of casual, easy going service with the kind, helpful table service you need.
Coffee was fantastic, but be warned — when they say large coffee they mean LARGE! I came out on a bit of a caffeine buzz, but that’s never a bad thing.

Yum! Big American portioned sized breakfasts but with a definite British twist. Come hungry and try the hashes which are different toppings piled on top of a mound of pan fried potatoes and onions. Here, hash browns are more akin to home fries (for you Yanks out there.)
Friendly service too!
Only very slight fault were the takeaway containers that were made of styrofoam. It would be better to have more eco-​friendly material.

Billie’s is great for people watching, which is lucky as you won’t be able to move after you’ve eaten!
Always popular with locals in search of a big weekend brunch, Billie’s opened over 30 years ago and is now run by brother and sister team, Lisa and Dominic. Their customers are loyal so you can expect to find a (fast moving) queue outside this cosy corner café on Hampton Place, just up from Western Road.
As per usual, I struggled to look past the Farmhouse Hash — sausage, bacon, baked beans & mushrooms pan-​fried in butter with homemade hash browns and topped with a fried egg & grilled cheese and Antonia went for the Avocado & Bacon — grilled bacon & sliced avocado on a bed of homemade hash browns topped with grilled cheese.
Both hashes were as huge as we remembered (if not bigger) and neither of us managed to clear our plates, which is a rarity to say the least! My hash was nice and crispy but Antonia’s definitely could have done with longer in the pan to add some crispy bits and texture to what is essentially a plate of potatoes!
Are there better brekkie offerings in Brighton? Yes, but Billie’s has it’s place and long may it continue.

Billies, Billies, Billies. It’s official. I’m in love.
Everyone will tell you about how wonderful this cute little café was but until you experience it for yourself I don’t think you understand the true amazingness of Billies. I went here on the weekend with a fellow Unilocaler and boy was I impressed!
We spotted Billies not because of a big sign or a bright storefront, but because of the queue of hungry and hopeful people all lined up politely outside it at 11am on a Sunday morning. Surely not? I thought to myself — not very used to having to wine in line for my breakfast in Brighton. But yes, there it was… a big old queue. Now, if I’m honest, at this point my friend and I had a moment of weakness and discussed whether to move on somewhere else but (thankfully!) we stuck around…
The sun was shining and the café is situated on one of Brighton’s prettier streets, away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, where streets are lined with pretty white houses and big beautiful trees. The people queing with us were friendly and equally as excited by the prospect of Billies famous hash, so in truth the waiting process was pleasant enough.
It only took us about 10 – 15 minutes to be seated as we came as a pair (much to the dismay of larger groups who momentarily considered abandoning their friends and families in favour of food). We were seated at a pretty little table in the window, perfect for watching the world go by on this sunny Sunday, as we waited for our food.
We both order the has — me going for the Mexican one with guac and salsa (and a side of bacon… shh!) and my friend going for the Farmhouse, I believe. It wasn’t a long wait for the food to arrive, considering how packed the place was, and we were content waiting with our Americanos and gossip.
The food arrived looking and smelling incredible and, upon tasting, it did not disappoint! My hash was spicy, filling and unusual (in a good way) and I only managed about half of it before asking for a doggy bag. For a mere £8 (or thereabouts) you get at least double portions, I’d say and this is coming for a girl not afraid of finishing her plate! I was so impressed with it — it really hit the spot!
The staff were friendly too, while rushed off their feet, and my total (hash, with added bacon, and coffee) came to around £10, which is not bad at all considering I took practically a full meal home with me as well.
I really loved my experience here! I felt as if I was in NYC brunching in style, but without those measly portions! This is hearty, tasty food, served with a smile in a very pretty (albeit busy) little café! Go and it try it please!!!

I found this place from Unilocal,and wanted to give it a try when we were in Brighton last Saturday. We walked about 10 mins from the train station, and found this cute little corner café in a not-​so touristy neighborhood. My hubby got the jumbo breakfast and I got the farmhouse hash, and oh, what a treat! We loved every little bite we had along with the delicious coffee. Everything was so delicious! The service was super nice too. It is a very small place, so there may be a line at the door. We were the first in line and we only waited about 10 mins, but the waiting time can get longer since it is a very small place.

This is a ‘proper’ café that serves ‘proper’ food. No messing around here. This place hasn’t changed at all in 20 years because it doesn’t have to. They’ve got it timelessly spot on.
I have tried a couple of times and failed pathetically to conquer one of their famous hash breakfasts, but boy did I have fun trying. They are monster, you get A LOT of bang for your buck. The same goes for the jumbo all day breakfasts which are drool worthy down to the toast. Everything is locally sourced and of the highest quality — extremely tasty.
They also offer some sweet treats if you’re feeling in a naughty mood. Pancakes, banana split, ice-​cream… Etc
The filter coffee is great and if you ask for a large they mean large! The milk shakes are delicious. Service is great, I really don’t have a bad word to say about this place. I love it. I could easily wile away a few hours in here without noticing.
Don’t go changing Billie’s!

I have been coming to Billies since 2004 and even though they have changed owners during that time the food and atmosphere of the place has more or less stayed the same.
I do find most of the hashes too heavy for me, but I have never had a better welsh rarebit than here and they make amazing scrambled egg with salmon.
It is not the cheapest breakfast/​brunch place but the quality of the food is good and the portions huge!

Billie’s does Brighton’s best breakfast. Hash! Yes, that’s the speciality. Fried potatoes and onions with, all sorts, it could be swede, mushrooms, sausages, even avocado. Billies mixes and matches some great stuff. They might make a hash of their food, but just the way you like it.
I adore Billie’s. Less than five minutes from the sea, it is also the purveyor of fry ups which are to die for (and you well might because the portions are huge). My personal silly breakfast of choice is coffee, eggs benedict and a banana milkshake. Sometimes I’ll have a side of hash too.
A palace of fried delights, and no mistake. And yet from the outside it looks so unassuming: a litte café with gingham table cloths. It gets rammed at the weekend with the hungover hordes. I go in the week and you can always get a table.

A no frills, traditional looking café nestled away on a quiet corner behind Western Rd in central Brighton, Billie’s is a poky little place, but if you can get in, you’re guaranteed a great breakfast! The café is small, the décor simple and the location ideal for a spot of people watching– some brilliant characters have rolled past the windows during my many breakfasts there. It is, in my opinion, a happy alternative to the plethora of characterless trendy cafes and gastro-​pubs popping up all over town.
Most importantly, the food is good and inexpensive. Brunch will typically cost you under a tenner and the menu covers all of the breakfast basics, from full English to pancakes. What sets Billie’s apart is the wide range of hashes on offer. These mountainous piles of hashed potato can be ordered with all sorts of accompaniments, ranging from bacon and avocado to salsa, guacamole and sour cream (‘Mexican hash’, my favourite by far). Billie’s blends English greasy spoon classics with American influenced dishes to create the perfect transatlantic breakfast menu. Be warned, the coffee is in my opinion not great and there are some dodgy spray paintings for sale, but the service is always friendly and, as any good café should, they do a mean Eggs Benedict!
A great place to nurse a Sunday morning hangover, Billie’s is always packed at the weekend and attracts an eclectic crowd. Avoid going in a big group and try to get there either very early or late morning. Having said that, I have never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a table! One star lost because I am typically in a big group of friends when I want to eat here, and it can be really tricky!